There is an universal tendency among mankind to conceive all beings like themselves, and to transfer to every object, those qualit...ies, with which they are familiarly acquainted, and of which they are intimately conscious. We find human faces in the moon, armies in the clouds; and by a natural propensity, if not corrected by experience and reflection, ascribe malice or good-will to every thing, that hurts or pleases us.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

But 'tis a common proofThat lowliness is young ambition's ladder,...Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;But when he once attains the upmost roundHe then unto the ladder turns his back,Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degreesBy which he did ascend.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

If the heart beguiles itself in its choice [of a wife], and imagination will give excellencies which are not the portion of flesh ...and blood:Mwhen the dream is over, and we awake in the morning, it matters little whether 'tis Rachael or Leah,--be the object what it will, as it must be on the earthly side ... of perfection,--it will fall short of the work of fancy, whose existence is in the clouds.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »

The vines of her armsdidn't cling to the ends of his clothes,...or did she plant herself in the doorway,hurl herself at his feet,or utter the word "Stay!"But as that fool began to goat the time when it was dark with swarming clouds,the slim girl blocked her lover's waywith only a rising rivermade with her flood of tears.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »